LOCAL KIDS DEBUT UNDER THE BIG TOP

A talented group of Shellharbour youths will be doing something a little out of the ordinary with their October school holidays.

The Giggles Gang, a group of 14 children aged 10-17 will be showcasing their skills under the big top next Wednesday in their first major performance, as part of partnership between Circus Monoxide and the Blackbutt Youth Centre.

The group has been training with members of the Circus Monoxide crew twice a week for over a month and is finally ready to share their act with the local community.

The Giggles Gang trainer, Jane says that the youths are very focused in their approach to learning circus skills.

They are like sponges, they just absorb everything that we teach them so quickly, she says.

The children have been taught an array of circus skills, ranging from juggling, plate and hula hoop spinning to more difficult activities such as uni cycle riding and acrobatics.

Youth worker and Circus Activities Coordinator, Louise Hakkenbrock says that learning and performing the circus activities gave children a sense of confidence and self-esteem.

Some of the kids were so shy when they started that they would barely talk or laugh but now they have really come out of their shell both in performing and their everyday life, she says.

The eldest member of The Giggles Gang, Teagan Lacey, 17, has been involved with the Youth Centre for two and a half years and provides the perfect example for how performing can help overcome shyness.

Im finding myself to be heaps more confident because the circus stuff is really good for building up your self-esteem, she says.

Im also the oldest now so I feel like a bit of a mentor to the other kids.

Its good to be able to help them and show them some of the things that Ive learnt.

In fact, Teagan will be playing the role of the ringmaster, which will involve introducing the members of The Giggles Gang to the crowd, something which may have previously seemed impossible for someone so shy.

The Youth Centre says that it would like to maintain its circus skills programs and hope to arrange more public performances in the future.

We will continue with activities like this for as long as there is interest from the kids and the community, says Louise.

The Giggles Gang will perform under the Circus Monoxide Big Top, located on the parkland east of Stockland Shellharbour next Wednesday night at 7pm.

Anyone wishing to see the Giggles Gang in their debut performance should contact the Blackbutt Youth Centre on 42953820.